Human endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) require endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) for cell cycle progression and angiogenic activity.

ABSTRACT: Vascular repair and regeneration are critical for tissue homeostasis. Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) are vessel-resident progenitors with vasoreparative capacity and they offer an important avenue for allogeneic cytotherapy to achieve perfusion of ischemic tissues. Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR) has been proposed as a marker for vascular endothelial stem cells, but its precise role in ECFC biology remains unknown. The current study has investigated the biological relevance of EPCR in ECFC function. Our data show that over 95% of ECFCs exhibit high EPCR expression. These levels surpassing CD34 and CD157, positions EPCR as a new robust ECFC immunophenotypic marker, alongside established markers CD31 and CD105. Functionally, depleting EPCR expression in ECFCs significantly di

SUBMITTER: Chambers SEJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12102113 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature